Audrey's Birthday Party

 The kids and I made a last minute trip to Kentucky before baby brother arrived.  We got a chance to celebrate Audrey's birthday with special friends and family.  Alexander and Audrey loved the time they spent with Jessica and Addie Mae. 

 They especially loved playing with Caroline and Carter.  Audrey was even willing to go to Kiki's house without Mommy to play. 

Hard to believe our little princess is turning two. 

 

Audrey enjoys watching Mickey Mouse so we decided a Minnie Mouse birthday was appropriate.  

Thanks to Kelley for making the beautiful cake.  It was even organic. Audrey insisted on eating the fondant bow.  She has quite the sweet tooth. 

 We had a few special guests at the party.  My youth minister and his wife had a baby last December.  We had shared a few of Audrey's things with sweet Bethany.  Kristi returned a few of the things I might need for our new baby.  The birthday party was the perfect time to return them.  It was a great reunion.  The girls had a great time playing together.  
Another special friend, Allison, was at the party as well.  She had never met Audrey girl.  Allison and I met in college.   It was great to see Allison and Nick.  Audrey especially loved the Minnie Mouse gift they brought.  

 

Audrey enjoyed opening her gifts, but insisted on reading each book before going to the next gift. 

 We love our little Minnie Mouse princess.  She loves to read books, work puzzles, and color.  She has become much more social and even enjoyed spending time with her Mimi and visiting many other friends.  She is quite the talker and can say just about anything.  Auj loves everything girly.  She insists on wearing jewelry and loves choosing clothes, shoes, and hair bows.  She loves to sing Jingle Bells, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and Happy Birthday.  Auji will always be the princess with two brothers.  We are so thankful for our precious blessing from the Lord. 

Christmas 2012

 Christmas was especially exciting for the kids this year.  Tami and Madeline were here.  We went to church on Christmas Eve and had Tami's usual spaghetti dinner that evening.  Alexander opened his special Christmas book. 

 On Christmas morning, Audrey was the first to wake.  She and I got up and started breakfast.  We had french toast bake, scrambled eggs, and bacon.  The kids played with their "Santa" gifts, those that are too big to be wrapped.  After breakfast, we opened the rest of the gifts.  Alexander got a robot, scooter, basketball goal, Flip car, and much more.  Audrey got a kitchen, a Middleton baby, barbies, Barbie clothes, and lots of play food for the kitchen.  They were both thrilled with their gifts. 

Audrey playing with the nativity at church

Audrey and her new Middleton baby

Audrey's gifts

Alexander's gifts

Barbie's from my childhood- much needed makeover

Barbies with their new clothes

Our New Baby Tradition

Before Alexander was born, Adam and I made him a special bear at Build a Bear Workshop.  Buddy Bear had two hearts, one from Mommy and one from Daddy.  Buddy also wore a UK t-shirt.  

The night before Audrey was born, Adam, Alexander, and I made her a bear from Build a Bear.  Candice has a sweater with pink hearts.  She has three hearts.

So last week we went to Build a Bear workshop to make new baby his bear.  Alexander received a gift card to Build a Bear, so he and Audrey also got new bears.  Alexander chose a blue bear named Ears.  Audrey got a bunny with a tutu and slippers. We named her Bunny Bun.  We made baby boy a white bear named Doodle.  He doesn't have any clothes yet, but he does have 4 hearts.  We hope to find him a UK shirt when we go to Kentucky next week. 

To Be Like Mary

I have recently been reading Having a Mary Spirit, by Joanna Weaver.  My good friend Jessica got it for me for my birthday.  Yes, my birthday was in April, but I am a slow reader.  

As I was reading chapter 7 "A Willing Spirit" I read about the Many things Mary did right.  I have much to learn here. 

An obedience and willingness to say yes to God. 
May it be to me as you have said. (Luke 1:38) 

A heart that believes the impossible and responded with praise. 
My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. (46-47)

A submission to God's will and His timing. 
She treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (2:19)

A heart that made requests but refused to make demands. 
Do whatever He tells you to do. (John 2:5) 


Weaver writes, "I want my life to be a Bethlehem. I want to be a portal through which Christ may come into my world.  I want my heart to be a womb in which Jesus is not only birthed, but also a throne from which He rules and reigns." (pg 106)


I have so much to learn.  I am so strong willed and hate when my plans change, so saying yes to God is very hard.  Saying yes to moving to Nebraska was immensely difficult.  After praying for a miracle for my Dad's life to be spared, with faith that God would spare him, I do struggle to believe that God will do the impossible.  I know He can, but the more we observe in our society, the less we see of God.  

I am not a patient person.  For many months I begged God to allow me to get pregnant with Alexander and again with Audrey.  He was faithful and gave us two beautiful children.  His timing was perfect.  Audrey was the perfect healing for our suffering the loss of my father.  Well, God's timing didn't seem so perfect when we moved to Nebraska less than one year after his death.  It didn't seem perfect at all when I found out I was pregnant in July.  I wasn't ready for another baby. I still don't feel ready for another baby even though he will be here in 11 weeks.  Boy was I shocked, but I can't imagine Mary's state of shock.  As Weaver mentioned, "Mary must have known she would be considered an adulterous woman and that Joseph would likely end their betrothal with a divorce."  Unlike me, "She treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." (2:19)

This Christmas I don't intend to take away from the birth of Christ, our glorious Savior, but for a minute let us, me especially, consider Mary, who 33 years later "watched  Jesus die on the dark hill of Golgotha." (pg. 103)  

Giving Thanks

It is always strange not to be in Kentucky for the holidays. We enjoyed Thanksgiving in Tekamah with the Lawton's. The menu was very similar to what we are accustomed to. It was a very pretty day except for the extra wind. The kids enjoyed playing outside a bit. 

 

 When we got home we put up a few Christmas decorations. The kids loved decorating the tree. Audrey kept saying,"One more, Mommy."She wanted more ornaments to hang on the tree.

 We have so much to be thankful for. The Lord has truly blessed us.

"Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!"

Psalm 107:1 

Christmas Card

5x7 Folded Card

View the entire collection of cards.

Halloween 2012

 

Alexander was the cutest Jake and the Neverland Pirate ever.  The headband covered the bandage from his recent stitches perfectly. 

 Audrey was a beautiful ladybug.  She loved getting candy.  She ran up to each business and held out her hand.  She loves candy.

  Alexander was thrilled to have Gabrielle and Nathaniel along with us for Halloween.  We enjoyed the usual chili for our Halloween evening meal, followed by lots of chocolate. 

After opening lots of suckers and trying each one and chomping through plenty of Tootsie Rolls with her few teeth the ladybug got a bit grouchy.  She was specifically upset that we had put an end to eating the candy for the evening.